Skip to main content

This job has expired

VP of Advancement

POSITION SUMMARY

This visionary and enterprising leader, reporting and serving as strategic partner to the CEO & Executive Director (CEO), is responsible for overall strategic direction and management of the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s advancement activities. The selected candidate will bring technical expertise, inspirational leadership and an ability to create a proactive operation that subscribes to best practice in a collaborative environment. The position implements and oversees a multi-year strategic fundraising plan that meets or exceeds established financial targets for all areas of giving including sponsorship. The VPA will supervise a talented and enthusiastic staff of development professionals and will have direct responsibility for an annual development program of approximately $2.5m+ that seeks support from a variety of sources (individual, corporate, foundation, government and special events), as well as a planned giving program and endowment fundraising objectives.

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Fund Campaign

  • Set budget and campaign goals for each financial year with CEO and Chief Financial Officer.
  • Develop Annual Fund Campaign plan, working with Annual Fund Committee & CEO.
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors capable of making major gifts.
  • Partner with CEO in driving fundraising activities and personally engaging with major prospects.
  • Oversee the design and printing of fund drive mailings in collaboration with Director of Marketing.
  • Track all gifts, pledges and payments for the annual fund campaign in Tessitura.
  • Coordinate mailings with Marketing Director.
  • Acknowledge all gifts in a timely manner.
  • Track donor benefits.
  • Plan annual fund drives and recruit board volunteers to assist.
  • Oversee the preparation of materials for fund drives, including pledge cards, tracking sheets, and volunteer gifts.
  • Work closely with the Marketing Department to ensure consistent organizational messaging and a coordinated approach to patron development.
  • Implement, coordinate, and evaluate stewardship activities, solicitation schedules, recognition and benefits for all donors.
  • Coordinate web-based fundraising activities, such as online auctions or donation websites.

Corporate Sponsorship

  • Identify and implement strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new, current, and lapsed corporate sponsors.
  • Work in partnership with the CEO and Corporate Partnerships Committee on all aspects of developing new corporate sponsorships and sponsorship renewal campaign.
  • Research and identify likely corporate prospects.
  • Create successful sponsorship proposals.

Foundation and Government Grants

  •  Research prospective foundation and government funders.
  • Liaise with Director of Education & Community Engagement and Grant Writer on education-oriented grants.
  • Oversee all grant proposals and cultural arts funding projects.
  • Oversee final reports for foundation and government grants.
  • Maintain relationships with foundations and other grant funding bodies.

Database

In Collaboration with the Database Manager:

  • Create and maintain prospect lists.
  • Oversee the updating of mailing lists and patron records.
  • Oversee the entering of gifts, pledges and payments for individuals, foundations and corporations.

Special Events

  • Plan and manage special events as required in conjunction with CEO and any relevant board committees.
  • Establish fundraising and participation goals.
  • Assume responsibility for details involved in executing events and act as a liaison to special committees, the Symphony Society, and staff.

Board Liaison 

  • Serve as ex-officio member of the development-oriented board committees and, in conjunction with committee chairs, recruit other volunteers to participate in the development program.
  • Report to the board and Executive Committee on progress of all fundraising campaigns; provide other reports and statements as requested.
  • Identify, recommend, and help recruit committee members for Development and Special Events.
  • Actively engage the board in all fundraising activities and personally educate each member on how to best cultivate, solicit and steward their networks.
  • Recommend fundraising policies and procedures to the CEO and board with the goal of building a year-round development program that demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Proven fundraiser with direct experience in securing significant support from major donors, individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
  • Substantial fundraising knowledge with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience, preferably in a performing arts environment.
  • Proven success in developing and executing clear and effective fundraising plans.
  • First-hand experience working with board trustees in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
  • Proven track record in building long-term organizational capacity.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and inspire a development team.
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to make judgment calls and sound, ethical decisions, while often managing multiple competing demands and priorities, displaying a heightened level of responsibility, confidentiality, integrity and professionalism.
  • Proficient user of donor management software (Tessitura database experience a plus).
  • Demonstrated experience in a senior management role, partnering with executive staff and high-performing nonprofit boards resulting in the development and implementation of creative fundraising strategies.
  • High-level interpersonal and management experience with the ability to communicate and partner effectively with diverse groups of external and internal constituencies including board, major donors, volunteers, staff and musicians.
  • Experience building new systems and implementing policies and procedures.
  • Executive presence, polished personal skills, strong verbal, presentation, and writing skills, and comfort in formal and informal settings.
  • Ability to handle sensitive situations, requiring poise, tact and diplomacy.
  • Passion for the organization’s mission, understanding of the special needs of a nonprofit organization, and a commitment to carrying out the strategic vision.
  • A commitment to diversity and inclusion with proven ability to work successfully and collaboratively in a diverse environment and community is essential.
  • Love of classical music a plus.

 

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume referencing the VP of Advancement position to applytoaustinsymphony@gmail.com. No phone calls, please.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided during the hiring and selection process to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Due to the nature of this position, background checks will be conducted as a condition of employment.

 

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The ASO is committed to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination, and it is our policy and goal to promote the inclusion and engagement of the residents of Austin and Central Texas across all protected classes of people, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, cultural background and experiences, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, socio-economic status, physical and mental ability, and religion in all aspects of employment.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert